Wellbeing animal health level induces increased bone density, promoted bone strength and fracture healing. There’s even a popular saying amongst veterinarians “If you put a cat and a bunch of broken bones in the same room, the bones will heal.” There is also substantial documentation that low frequency vibration induces pain relief and healing of tendons and muscles and cats purr at those very same frequencies. Remediation of other illnesses due to the cat’s purring ability is also being put forward. For example, respiratory problems associated with heart disease in cats are almost non-existent. In fact, respiratory problems resolve quickly once purring is activated. In effect then, by changing the frequency of their purring, cats may be fine-tuning their healing abilities which creates this distinct evolutionary advantage. It is this unique healing advantage that has probably given rise to the notion of cats having nine lives. They survive conditions that normally kill other animals, such as falls from heights. In a study of 132 cat falls with an average fall height of 5 ½ stories, 90% survived. The record height for a cat falling and surviving is 45 stories! The extrapolation of this research may prove vital. Dr. Clinton Rubin in a 1999 study discovered that such frequency exposure creates the robust striations of increased bone density, suggesting applications for osteoporosis, particularly in post-menopausal women and the elderly.
24 Wellbeing
But it’s the cat’s “healing by association” that most people find interesting, that ability of a cat to sympathetically help cure illnesses in people simply by being around them. Studies have also shown that owners, especially senior citizens, who have cats have lower blood pressure and can live longer than humans who don’t own pets. Many individuals swear they can ease or completely eliminate their migraine headaches simply by lying down with a purring cat next to their head. Can’t hit that minimum recommended daily dose of bone-enriching calcium? Maybe grabbing the nearest cat and holding it close may just prove to be the answer to brittle-bones. Having surgery? Perhaps after coming home, keeping a cat nearby will reduce your recovery time. So, go get a cat. Keep it happy and purring. You’re both likely to be healthier and you’ll have a great friend who truly understands how you’re feeling. Dr Fedyniak runs the Jade Lion Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine clinic in Tunbridge Wells. DrLev@ JadeLionAcupuncture.com or 07852 870 030
Interesting facts about the anatomy of a cat n Cats have 220° field of view where humans only have 180°. n Cats’ sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of humans. n Cats have 30 permanent teeth, while adult humans have 32. n Cats have 30 vertebrae, while humans only have 25. n Cats have 230 bones in their bodies, this is 24 more than humans. n Cats have a body temperature of between 101 and 102.2 °F (38 and 39 °C). n The lifespan of cats are usually between 15 and 20 years. n Cats have a heart rate of between 120 - 240 beats per minute. (This varies highly between different breeds cats) n Cats take between 20 - 40 breaths per minute in an inactive state. (This varies highly between different breeds cats) n The print on a cat’s nose is like that of a fingerprint of a human, each is unique. n Cats have a top speed of about 30 mp/h (48.28 km/h).